Ben Nevis

A cumulus moment

Walkers relaxing in Glen Nevis

Sunrise over Ben Nevis

early winter morning at Tomacharich...

Ben Nevis from Loch Eil

on the way to Glenfinnan village...

Loch Lochy and Ben Nevis

at the end of a glorious day...

About Ben Nevis in Fort William Scotland

This section of the Visit Fort William website is all about Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles which dominates the landscape of Fort William, outdoor capital of the UK. Ben Nevis, or the 'Ben' as it is fondly known locally, sits majestically at the head of Loch Linnhe, its presence obvious from all corners of Fort William and some parts of Lochaber. Visit Fort William Ltd operates the Ben Nevis HDWebCam from Tomacharich, just outside Fort William town centre. The dramatic effect of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, is emphasised by the fact that it begins its rise from sea-level on the shores of Loch Linnhe, to tower 4,406ft (1,344m) above the town of Fort William, providing an almost paternal presence. If you like the view - clouds and weather permitting, why not stay there... check out Woodside B&B or Cedar Lodge for self catering in Fort William - which is where the camera is located.

What does 'Nevis' mean? The river and glen running past the mountain both carry the name, as does the remote sea loch at Knoydart, 40 miles to the west. In Gaelic the mountain's name, Beinn Nibheis, has been linked with Irish and Gaelic words meaning poisonous or terrible, implying a fairly ominous character.

Ben Nevis, although not as high as Alpine mountains, is positioned on a more northerly latitude and the climate can be considered similar to Arctic regions. While there may be a welcoming sea breeze on the shores of Loch Linnhe, 20-30 knots of chilling wind may be evident on the summit of the Ben. Many walkers/climbers find weather conditions changing within minutes - usually for the worse - as they work their way up the mountain. If you are planing to walk up the mountain footpath wtih friends or on your own, be warned that the mountain can be intolerant of inexperienced, ill-prepared walkers!

The good news is that guidance and information about walking up Ben Nevis is available by checking out our safety and common sense advice pages. You may like to consider the services and benefits of a guided walk up Ben Nevis, with a Ben Nevis mountain guide to provide a memorable and fun day out for you and your companions.

The Ben Nevis Observatory ruin is a fascinating story about the early days of meteorology in the UK. The Ben Nevis Race, and Three Peaks Race events are both very popular. Ben Nevis Distillery is both an important local business and place of interest for visitors.

Thousands of people walk up Ben Nevis every year and the vast majority do so in safety, taking common sense measures to make sure they stay safe while on the mountain. We hope you enjoy your own experience of walking up Ben Nevis and have a great time ! Please be considerate and not waste Police time by not walking up Ben Nevis when there is a severe weather forecast warning of gale-force winds and torrential rain. There's always another day to enjoy the experience safely and sensibly.

If you are looking for a good place to stay, check out our accommodation section or try some of our premium advertisers on this page.

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